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3D Printer Buyers Guide

How do you choose the right 3D Printer for your Home, Office or classroom? This buying guide will help narrow down the choices.

How do you choose the right printer for you?
We have found that ultimately printer choice comes down to the following questions:

Build Size Multi Color/Dissolvable Support ABS/Heated Bed Budget Where to Buy

1. BUILD SIZE REQUIRED

Is there a particular product you need to print that sets a minimum build area for you?
Remembering with both ABS and PLA you can print your model in parts and glue the parts together. If gluing is not feasible in your product; or you have to print larger items, then build size requirements may quickly help make up your mind. Also many school/classroom settings find larger build areas mean many students work can print simultaneously, allowing for quicker turnover times.

Pro2 Plus (Dual, 2018)

Massive Build
Build: 305 x 305 x 605mm
Resolution: 10 micron

 @ $12,995.00
GST Inc. FREIGHT FREE

More Info

Pro2 Plus (Dual, 2018)

Massive Build
Build: 305 x 305 x 300mm
Resolution: 10 micron

 @ $8,225.00
GST Inc. FREIGHT FREE

More Info

N2+ Massive Build

Single or Dual Extruder
Build: 305 x 305 x 610mm
Resolution: 10 micron layers

More Info

N2 - Single or Dual

Big build, solid construction
Build: 305 x 305 x 305mm
Resolution: 10 micron

More Info

Guider 2

Large Steel Framed ABS + PLA
Build: 280 x 250 x 300mm
Resolution: 80 microns

More Info

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2. TWIN/DUAL vs SINGLE EXTRUDERS

There are only 2 reasons you NEED two extruders.

1. Because you need to print one model in two colours: Examples include some of our medical clientele who are identifying cancerous tissue for example. Or professional customers needing to print logos, or other identifiers in a different colour from the main model.
   
2. Because you need to have dissolvable support material. The prime example for this is industrial architecture models, where the support material is very difficult to assess post printing, and dissolving support is essential. In most cases you will not need this.
   

Note: Only the Raise Pro 2 series have nozzles which lift out of the way when not in use - resulting in cleaner prints, and less chance of print failure (when the second nozzle clips the print and seperates it from the build plate during printing)
If you need two extruders take a look at:

Inventor 1 / Dreamer 2

Dual Extrusion plus Webcam
Build: 230 x 150 x 160mm
Resolution: 50 microns

More Info

Creator Pro 2016

Basic Steel Framed Dual Extrusion ABS + PLA
Build: 230 x 150 x 140mm
Resolution: 100 microns

More Info

Pro2 Plus (Dual, 2018)

Massive Build
Build: 305 x 305 x 605mm
Resolution: 10 micron

 @ $12,995.00
GST Inc. FREIGHT FREE

More Info

Pro2 Plus (Dual, 2018)

Massive Build
Build: 305 x 305 x 300mm
Resolution: 10 micron

 @ $8,225.00
GST Inc. FREIGHT FREE

More Info

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3. PLA vs ABS

There are a lot of myths on the internet about PLA. The fact is that PLA is stronger than ABS and keeps it shape better under stress. It is also much easier to print with. This being said if you are printing models under the following categories you will have to use ABS:
1. Your model will be submerged in water (and not coated in paint etc)
2. Your model has to flex
3. You are testing an ABS prototype for behaviour, pre a final product to be made in ABS
If one or more of these are the case, then you need a heated bed and your only options are :
Twin extruder machines above are both able to print ABS

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4. BUDGET

For those of you looking for a cheap starter machine look no further than these machines. Each perfect for Hobbyists, Small business owners testing the technology and schools looking to get the most machines within the constrains of an education department budget.

FlashForge Finder

Advanced Features, WiFi + Open Consumables
Build: 140 x 140 x 140mm
Resolution: 50-400 microns

More Info

Finder 2 / Inventor 2

Our quietest 3D Printer!
Build: 150 x 140 x 140mm
Resolution: 50-400 micron

More Info

UP Mini 2

Touchscreen and WiFi
Build: 120 x 120 x 120mm
Resolution: 150 micron

More Info

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5. WHERE TO BUY

When you invest in a 3D printer, you want it to work for several years.

So you need to ask yourself.
Do you want to buy at the lowest price from a box mover or backyard operator?
Box movers know little about 3D printing. They cannot help you get the best out of your 3D Printer in the years to come. Will the backyard operator still be there in 12 months, or even 6?

Bilby3D have been bringing the latest in quality desktop 3D Printers for over 6 years.
We have over 100,000 hours of printing experience.
Testing, modifying and repairing them.
But we are not hobbyists, we are a business, so we won't waste time tinkering and modding machines just to get them to work, and we don't think you should have to either (though it can be fun).

With showrooms in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, we are not only available on the phone, or through our online ticketing system, but at a physical location.
We are here to support your and your investment, beyond the warranty period, with service and repairs.

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About our 3D Printers When a 3D printer joins our range you can rest assured, knowing it is of high quality, will do what we say it will, and will be backed by a Bilby Guarantee and Warranty.

Each 3D printer must meet a strict set of guidelines before we will sell it. These include :

• Usability : Can the target user actually use this machine and related software easily? Some 3D printers and software can almost need a specialised degree to use it! These do not meet our standards. Our 3D printers need to all be easily adopted within the Home, Classroom, University lab, or Workplace. We look at who the machine is targeted at and assess the "expertise" and technical understanding required proportionally.
  
  
• Longevity : This relates not only to the machine but also the manufacturer. Are we going to be able to support this machine into the future? Unfortunately ours is a young industry and there are many fly-by-night and back yard operators. We want to support new comers, but we also need to know when something goes wrong the parts and support will be there for our machines for the long term.
  
  
• Reliability : In years gone by it was normal practice to have to repair and tinker with our 3D Printers before every print. This is, thankfully, not where the industry is today. There are still very cheap machines on the market that do still fall into this category. Our 3D Printers are selected and tested for their reliability and durability. We know you just want to turn them on and have them work time and time again!
  
  
• Integrity and Legality : Not all manufactures play by the same rules. Makerbot knows this all too well with a number of clone/copy machines of their earlier models out there. We only sell machines who own their technology, and do not rely on the theft of others intellectual property.

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